A CAR park in Taunton town centre could be torn up to make way for a mixed development of a bar, restaurant, shops, homes and offices.

Businesses and property owners in the area of the riverside Coal Orchard site will be asked for their views at a consultation meeting this evening (Wednesday, June17) and they will hear that it could allow The Brewhouse Theatre to expand.

Taunton Deane Council has a longstanding aspiration to redevelop the area as it is seen as a key site linking Firepool with the town centre.

A council spokeswoman said: “The aim is to enhance the existing site and create a ‘new place by the river’.

“The Brewhouse Theatre would be retained and space retained for potential expansion as the need for extra capacity is recognised.”

Consultants have previously suggested the Coal Orchard could become an “artisan quarter and cultural hub” with a revitalised Brehouse, artist’s studio, galleries and independent shops.

They suggest relocating the lost parking to the edge of the town centre and also building public loos linked to the arts centre.

The council spokeswoman added: “Coal Orchard is an attractive riverside area with a wealth of independent shops.

“The principle of developing it is included in the long standing adopted Town Centre Action Plan and the more recent Taunton Rethink document, which was agreed in early 2014.

“The council commissioned the Rethink to look at how Taunton can grow, thrive and remain the place people where want to live, visit, shop, do business and enjoy. The review reinforced the long standing approach expressed in the TCAP.

“The discussions are the start of a conversation with businesses on how the area could develop in future with the aim of creating a good quality, complementary scheme for the area.

“At this stage nothing has been ruled out or agreed.

“The council and its consultants are gathering views with the aim of having preferred options for the future development of the site by early autumn.

“These will be debated by elected members of the borough council and then go out to wider consultation.”